Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a quick question for Mr. Powell. Our committee members have been in America recently. We met with Chuck Schumer and a number of Senators, Congressmen and senior officials in the State Department. We discussed the issues on the protocol, the American attitude to relationships between Britain and Ireland North and South, and the geopolitical issue with the Ukraine war. George Mitchell played a key role in getting us to the Good Friday Agreement. Would Mr. Powell have a view as to how important America's influence might be if it were to appoint an envoy who was seen to be an honest broker in the relationships? If they got the right person, would that make sense to Mr. Powell? We have to find a way which is not available to us as a committee right now, to meet and negotiate with unionists on a formal or official basis. They will not meet with us. The Americans said it is being considered at the highest level within the State Department. Would Mr. Powell care to express a view on that?